Abigail Adams Famous Quotes, born November 11, 1744, in Weymouth, Massachusetts, and passing on October 28, 1818, was the wife of John Adams, the second U.S. President, and mother of John Quincy Adams, the sixth. As the second First Lady, she played a pivotal role during the American Revolution, managing the family farm and exchanging over 1,000 letters with John, now preserved at the Massachusetts Historical Society. A self-educated advocate for women’s rights and education, her 1776 plea to “remember the ladies” remains a cornerstone of early American feminism.
These 15 famous quotes—sourced from her letters, writings, and posts on X—highlight her bold calls for equality, education, liberty, and resilience, showcasing her sharp wit and enduring influence on American history.
15 Abigail Adams Famous Quotes
- “If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation.” (The Letters of John and Abigail Adams, 1776)
- “Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could.” (My Dearest Friend: Letters of Abigail and John Adams, 2007)
- “Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and diligence.” (The Quotable Abigail Adams, 2009)
- “If we mean to have Heroes, Statesmen and Philosophers, we should have learned women.” (The Letters of John and Abigail Adams, 1776)
- “These are times in which a genius would wish to live. It is not in the still calm of life, or the repose of a pacific station, that great characters are formed.” (The Letters of John and Abigail Adams, 1776)
- “Great difficulties may be surmounted by patience and perseverance.” (The Book of Abigail and John, 1975)
- “We have too many high-sounding words, and too few actions that correspond with them.” (The Book of Abigail and John, 1975)
- “My bursting heart must find vent at my pen.” (The Book of Abigail and John, 1775)
- “I am more and more convinced that man is a dangerous creature and that power, whether vested in many or a few, is ever grasping, and like the grave, cries, ‘Give, give.’” (Letters of Mrs. Adams, 1840)
- “Well, knowledge is a fine thing, and mother Eve thought so; but she smarted so severely for hers, that most of her daughters have been afraid of it since.” (The Letters of John and Abigail Adams, 1776)
- “Arbitrary power is like most other things which are very hard, very liable to be broken.” (The Book of Abigail and John, 1775)
- “Great necessities call out great virtues.” (The Book of Abigail and John, 1775)
- “I begin to think, that a calm is not desirable in any situation in life. Man was made for action and for bustle too, I believe.” (The Book of Abigail and John, 1775)
- “To be good, and do good, is the whole duty of man comprised in a few words.” (Letters of Mrs. Adams, 1840)
- “Deliver me from your cold phlegmatic preachers, politicians, friends, lovers and husbands.” (My Dearest Friend: Letters of Abigail and John Adams, 2007)
Abigail Adams’s famous quotes are a fiery mix of revolutionary zeal, sharp intellect, and a bold push for justice, inspiring women, activists, and dreamers to fight for equality and live with purpose. Her words continue to echo as a call to action for a fairer world. Which one lights up your passion for change? Drop it in the comments and keep Abigail’s trailblazing legacy alive!
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
Email – business@mylittledesire.com
